William Thomas Shifflette, Jr.

It is with profound sadness that we pause to announce the passing of Mr. William Thomas Shifflette, Jr. (64), who entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital in Athens, Georgia.

William Thomas Shifflette, Jr., of Lavonia, GA, entered eternal rest on November 18, 2025. Born on July 2, 1961, in Elberton, Georgia, he was the son of Genel Shifflette and the late William Thomas Shifflette, Sr. William accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Vance Creek Baptist Church in Elberton.

A standout athlete, William was a star basketball player with the Elbert County Blue Devils, a talent that earned him the opportunity to continue his basketball career at Mercer University. While attending Mercer, he pledged the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 1982, he left the university to serve his country with honor in the United States Marine Corps. Through his dedication and leadership, William rose through the ranks to Sergeant and served as an active-duty soldier during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield) era.

Following the end of his military service in 1991, William built a distinguished career in industrial manufacturing, serving in leadership roles throughout Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. His work included positions at Torrington in Elberton, GA; Hollander Home Fashions in Tignall, GA; Carlisle Coating in Elberton, GA and Terrell, TX; Tenneco in Hartwell, GA; First Quality in Anderson, SC; and Arthrex in Pendleton, SC. A lifelong learner, William attended Ashford University, where he earned both a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.

William was well known for his easy-going spirit and warm heart. He had a lifelong love of classic television and rarely missed marathons of The Andy Griffith Show or The Twilight Zone. William loved to cook—especially for others—and found joy in discovering and sharing new recipes, watching sports, and cheering proudly for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family.

William is preceded in death by his father, William T. Shifflette, Sr. He leaves to celebrate his life and legacy: his loving wife of 44 years, Barbara J. Shifflette; his children, Shalondra Shifflette-Dukes (Mario) and Alexis N. Shifflette; his grandchildren, Kennedy B. Harris, Kamden B. Dukes, and Leah N. Bell; his siblings, Terrellyn S. Simmons, Natasha Shifflette, and Phillip (Yvonne E.) Shifflette, and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him deeply.

Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 1:00pm, located at Mack's Funeral Home - Elberton Chapel. 

We ask that you keep the Shifflette family in your thoughts and prayers.

You may express your condolences, sign the online register, send flowers, or light a memory candle in his honor to provide comfort to the family.

Arrangements for Mr. William Thomas Shifflette, Jr. have been entrusted to Mack's Funeral Home - Elberton Chapel.

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